Build a ‘Green’ House

Green houses can now refer to more than a garden growing glass house. Modern day green houses are normal houses that have been built to meet the strict guidelines of energy efficiency set by the US Environmental Protection Agency. If you’re planning on building a home anytime in the near future, you should strongly consider a construction plan that will earn the Energy Star label.

What’s so different about an Energy Star house? Thanks to required effective insulation systems, high-performance windows, tight construction and ducts, efficient heating and cooling systems and Energy Star qualified lighting/appliances, Energy Star houses are 20-30% more efficient than standard homes. These requirements may decrease energy, but they don’t decrease design appeal.

The first thing you’ll need to start construction on your energy efficient home is a contract with a builder in a Partnership Agreement with EPA. Builders must construct at least one Energy Star qualified home every 12 months to maintain the partnership, but many builders will build 100% Energy Star qualified homes. These builders know the guidelines and work directly with a selected Home Energy Rater to ensure the regulations are met with quality and precision. The raters will be checking on your home throughout the building process—from the architectural plans to the final touches of construction.  To find a builder partnered with Energy Star, use this Energy Star Partner Locator.

If you’re remodeling instead of rebuilding, a certified Home Energy Rater can come inspect your house to determine if your house is eligible for Energy Star qualification. Even if you don’t decide to go all out and make your home Energy Star qualified, you can still replace various appliances to make a reduction in your energy consumption and cost.